Kotor, Montenegro I awoke shortly after daybreak. The coastline was visible from both sides of the ship. For the next 90 minutes we sailed between winding mountainous coastlines, also known as Europe's southern most fiords. Suddenly, we reached a deadend and arrived at Kotor, Montenegro. Nestled at the base of steep limestone cliffs, it was … Continue reading Kotor, Montenegro
Category: Travel
Monday was always laundry day when I was a kid. While roaming the streets of Split, Croatia I found numerous scenes like this. I checked the calendar: Monday ... of course. Thought for the Day: We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or … Continue reading Laundry Day
I found this ancient gutter and downspout in Corfu, Greece. It appeared to be serving more as a planter than anything else. The porcelain electric insulators had long been retired. Thought for the Day: We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.Oscar Wilde
Corfu, Greece The small island of Corfu, Greece was protected by two fortresses, one at each end of the island. The Old Fortress, pictured above, was built by the Venetians and completed in 1545. Thought for the Day: Fate has terrible power. You cannot escape it by wealth or war. No fort will keep it … Continue reading Corfu Fortress
The architectural renaissance of Lithuania is evident in Riga. The post WW II building in the foreground serves as a prominant benchmark of the past in contrast with the modern skyscraper in the background. Thought foir the Day: The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our … Continue reading Architectural Contrast
I had always thought Greek was a "dead language"; i.e. not spoken, but its letters used in mathmatics and college fraternity names. A recent visit to Greece told me I was wrong. The language is still very much alive, assuming this sign says, "Keep Out". As they say, "It's all Greek to me." Thought for … Continue reading Greek Alphabet
Kudos to Corfu for providing a fabulous first impression. This is what I saw from the balcony of our stateroom on the Viking Sky. This scenic Greek island provided many photo ops, which will be shown in future blog posts. Thought for the Day: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. … Continue reading Corfu, Greece
Chioggia Main Street The small town of Chioggia, Italy has only one main street. On Sunday the street is used as a central meeting place, Most of the shops are closed, except for those selling cheap souvenirs to cruise ship passengers, but bars and restaurants are full. It's family time and the main street is … Continue reading Chioggia Sunday
Flower Box Window flower boxes are common in Europe. This second floor scene was found in Chioggia, Italy. I found the symmetry very interesting. Thought for the Day: Tidiness is a virtue, symmetry is often a constituent of beauty.Winston Churchill
Decorative Hardware Every gondola in Venice is constructed the same way they have been for ages. They are all exactly the same dimensionally. But they are all special. Each gondola owner/operator decorates their vessel in their own style and taste. Every detail is the owner's taste. The color schemes, seats, benches, lines, rope railings, and … Continue reading Gondola
Venice, Italy - 2022 Rush hour in the canals ("side streets") of Venice, Italy. A 30 minute gondola tour of Venice costs 20 Euro per person. No horns honking, brakes squealing, or motor noise. Very quiet and peaceful. Worth every penny! Thought for the Day: Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs … Continue reading Venice 2
Photo by Nikos Pilos Corfu was our first stop in Greece. Tomorrow is Olympia. Day after that is Athens where we take off for home. Thought for the Day: Every traveller has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering. Charles Dickens
Branson, MO - 2022 I found this along the "strip" in Branson, Missouri. An eye-catcher ... sort of, when you're desperate for a picture. Can you name the four figures? Thought for the Day: Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. Jerry Seinfeld
NW Nebraska - 2022 The scenic drive through Sowbelly Canyon is a narrow, winding, decent county gravel road ... when it's dry. The last time I tried this road was mid-May, 2014 when I almost got stuck in the first 50 yards off the asphalt highway. The spring rains make this gumbo impassable. No problem … Continue reading Sowbelly Canyon
Old Smiley Road - US 20 A ten-mile stretch of scenic road, Old Smiley Road, winds through the western part of Fort Robinson State Park in the NW corner of Nebraska. It is a narrow asphalt road, thankfully one-way, desparately in need of some TLC. What used to be part of US 20 is now … Continue reading Old Smiley Road
Navigator - 2022 When you're traveling in uncharted waters, a good navigator is essential. Thought for the Day: Two great talkers will not travel far together.Spanish Proverb
Fort Robinson State Park, 2022 A typical scene around Fort Robinson in northwestern Nebraska, where our entire family (grandparents, three children, eight grand children and three dogs) gathered recently for five days. Thought for the Day: Remember, as far as anyone knows we’re a nice, normal family. Homer Simpson
Old Folks Four elderly people passing the day away on the front porch rockers. It looks like a Rest Home rather than a rest stop during a busy day of sightseeing. The sign on the right provides the alibi. Thought for the Day: Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever … Continue reading Rest Stop
Ringling Museum - Sarasota, FL The Ringling Museum of Art (The Ringling), located in Sarasota, FL., was founded in 1927 by John and Mable Ringling. It is now the official State Art Museum of Florida. Also located on the 66 acre estate overlooking Sarasota Bay is the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum and the Ringling Ca' … Continue reading Ringling Museum of Art
Klaipedia, Lithuania - 2017 Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. The modern high-rise office building in the background is an example of the modern-day Lithuania, but the stigma of Soviet oppression is still visible in the foreground. Thought for the Day: “Kas nedirba, tas nevalgo.” – English: “He that will not … Continue reading Old & New
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